International 14 Mailing List
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From: paul galvez (galvezpaul@hotmail.com)
Date: Mon 26 Jul 1999 - 20:37:47 BST
30th Annual Seal Beach to Dana Point Yacht Race
We finally got the go ahead from race organizers to enter the International
14's in this 29 mile downwind race hence the late notice. This took some
time on the committee's behalf considering that no assistance would be
available for us. While some were a little nervous about the big breeze and
sea in the days leading up to the regatta, I explained that there were
plenty of small harbors along the way to ditch into if things got bad.
Having been familiar with that stretch of coastline since childhood, I
thought this wouldn't be too extreme.
After organizing our complex dolly/trailer delivery logistics to Dana Point
(many thanks to Art's wife Tiffany), we set off from the dock at ABYC in
Long Beach for the start of our long distance downwind adventure. As we
sailed out to the starting line, I studied the cockpit unfamiliar to the new
additions we took along:
Lots of water, about four times the usual amount
An oversized mast mounted glass ball compass
A portable GPS enclosed in a waterproof pouch
A mini assortment of small line, pins, duct tape, power bars, sun screen,
and tools.
I thought to myself, There is a lot of Shit in here!
The 14's were the first start of the 89 boat fleet. Everything from J24's to
an ILC 46 were racing. As we sailed to the start line many stared at the
14's in disbelief as most others applauded when they saw three 14's power up
as the gun went off. Paul and Yvonne took the start and led the way to the
clearing mark. Up at the mark Brad and Jake had good speed and rolled us as
we just pinched around the mark. It was a tight reach and Brad/Jake twin
wired with two sails as Paul/Yvonne set the kite and sailed past to leeward
slightly below our compass heading. Paul and Yvonne again take the lead as
Brad/Jake, and Nigel/Art follow. About four miles into the race the wind is
diminishing and the GPS says we are way too low. We douse and resume a white
sail reach, Brad/Jake catch up holding the kite and pass us. It was at that
moment we had to decide. The GPS said we were already thirty degrees low so
we did not want to hoist and spend all our energy tight reaching down the
coast. We watched Brad/Jake sail away sailing really tight and working hard.
The wind lightened more to about 9-10 knots so we set and caught up quick,
passing Brad and Jake at around the eighth mile. The wind was now under ten
yet we averaged about 7.5 knots speed over ground and now fought hard to
keep on course and keep all 88 boats behind us. The last six miles were
brutal. The wind was down and now we're only doing fives with the big boats
on the horizon getting bigger! Thirty minutes later and we find ourselves
trading places with a well sailed Farr 40 and J120. With every little chop,
our boat is shaking the wind right out of our sails. Two miles to go, both
keel boats get by us but the wind starts to build at the Point. I look and
see Nigel/Art about 1/4 mile back with Brad/Jake close behind them. We make
a B-line for the finish and get the gun just under four and a half hours.
Although two big boats barely got us, I was really surprised that the 14's
did so well in the lighter stuff. It was a great sight watching the 14's
come into the finish with most of the fleet a full hour and a half behind
us. Also impressive was Nigel/Art's comeback at the finish. I never saw them
after the start until about 2 miles from the finish (white kites are very
stealth). According to Nigel, they went way out far above the fleet for more
wind and jibed for home. Our GPS in the red boat tracked 40 miles dock to
dock! It was agreed by most veterans of this race that this was a fluky
light year. The DPYC race committee was actually concerned we would finish
before they would be ready. Given the ideal conditions this race usually
offers, it would be very possible to finish in half the time. A great time
was had by all at the club with much beer and good food. The question was
asked if we would do this race again. The answer was a unanimous YES! Look
for this race on next years USIFA calender.
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